Gower Middle School

7941 South Madison Street

School District

Gower 62
Grade

5-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:11
Type

public

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on June 20, 2023

Gower Middle School is a hidden gem! Teachers and staff members are highly engaged with their students. The extra curricular activities are amazing, from sports to band and student council to theatre. We never had any of that in our previous school district. Great resources and support for kids with learning disabilities too!One other side note... during the depths of the pandemic, Gower Middle was one of the few schools that kept their doors open during the entire 2020-2021 school year. They did so in very safe and collaborative manner that provided options for kids. I never had any conversations with the administration regarding this topic, but I just felt that they understood the value of in-person teaching/learning.
Submitted by other on June 19, 2023

As a part of the Gower community, I am continually impressed by the creative and innovative ideas coming through this school. Each grade level team organizes field trips (traditional and fancy, especially for the soon-to-be graduates!), designs unique reading experiences and activities, provides hands-on STEM and science experiments, and implements an intervention/enrichment process based on individual student needs. What is more, administration has embraced teachers' ideas to provide students with fun, community-building experiences. As long as I have been involved in the Gower community, all though the pandemic, and this last year being the first entirely 'normal' year since Covid began, all professionals involved at GM have demonstrated to have all students, collectively and as individuals, in their best interest and make decisions accordingly. My children will also be attending Gower schools, and I look forward to being an even greater part of this community.
Submitted by other on June 18, 2023

Gower Middle School is a “Great place to be”! There is mutual respect among students, staff, and administration. The teachers go out of their way to provide a welcoming, safe, inclusive place for all. Keep it up Gower - you make our community proud.
Submitted by parent on June 17, 2023

We could not be more proud to be a Gower family. We’ve had two kids graduate, and our third is currently a student. We’ve been genuinely amazed by how the teachers, administration, and staff have all gotten to know and support each of our kids, in the way that they needed individually. When we’ve raised concerns, we’ve felt heard. Our kids have been encouraged and challenged academically, all while learning in an inclusive, kind, and positive environment.Gower Middle is a diverse, all-accepting, and exceptional school. Our high schooler still proves to be one of the more well equipped, self-reliant students among his peers from other middle schools. We chose this school when moving from the city, and feel our children have been awarded lifelong benefits as a result.
Submitted by other on June 17, 2023

This school is one of the finest in the area. The teachers are dedicated, student centered and hard working. The students are motivated and the parents are very supportive of their children and the staff.
Submitted by parent on June 16, 2023

I have 3 children in the district. My oldest just graduated 8th grade. The elementary school is great, however the middle is not. I was not satisfied with the small and inexperienced special Ed program. The kids did not receive the same experiences as all the surrounding schools in terms of dances, field trips and overall experiences like DC or Springfield trips. My oldest child was bullied and singled out by her peers for 2 months and the school did nothing about it. When I complained the school went to my child and asked them who they should talk to, when they should have listened to me. After speaking with other parents of recent graduates this singling out and exclusion seems to be a pattern especially in 8th grade. Needles to say I would not recommend the middle school.
Submitted by other on December 13, 2022

I love Gower. I recently graduated from the Gower family around a year ago, and man, not a day goes by that I don't think of Gower. I grew up in the Gower district, and all the teachers and students are so nice and accommodating. They have prepared me so well for high school, and I don't think I could've imagined more from such a district. The staff is always so positive, and although I spent most of my classes on zoom or hybrid, the staff and facility made light out of the pandemic, and they are always so kind. They set us up for success, and there are so many things the school offers. In GMS, there are a variety of sports and clubs, and everyone is so kind and welcoming. The Gower community is truly just one big family, and I've never felt more happy and lucky to have gone to such a great school with great teachers, staff, and students. The different grades get along well, and it's just the best school ever. It offers everything, and I'm so happy to have been able to experience the brilliance and kindness that this school offers.
Submitted by student on February 22, 2022

i am a student here and oh my god it is literally the WORST experience i’ve ever had during middle school and it’s a living hell from the past months i’ve been here
Submitted by parent on November 30, 2021

What a great school during the pandemic. They held together and worked out in person learning. Super safe and attentive. Love it.
Submitted by parent on October 24, 2018

I can't begin to express how grateful I am to be a part of the Gower family. I say "family" because that's exactly how it feels, like being a part of a family! Starting from the superintendents, principals, teachers, support staff, etc, I know they have my children's best interests! I have a child with learning differences and the support that he has received from day one has been astounding! He's gone from Gower West to Gower Middle with a smooth transition. Teachers kept themselves in close communication at all times to make sure all his needs were met in order to help him stay at his very best. Their motto "children at their best" is truly honored in every way!
Submitted by parent on August 14, 2017

Rapidly going downhill. If you look at all those 5 star ratings, they are 4+ years or older, all written prior to the new Superintendent coming into office. The great teachers are retiring, and a lot of the awesome younger teachers are leaving the district due to ineffective leadership from the superintendent and the principal. The superintendent is very focused on budget cutting for educational programs, but sees nothing wrong with having a Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, 2 principals, a Dean, and extensive support staff for those positions. Seriously it's less than 700 students. Maybe the administrative staff could file their own paperwork and make their own phone calls, and we could bring back the Foreign language program and focus on student education.
Submitted by parent on August 10, 2017

Gower Middle used to be a great school. Since the new superintendent and the new principal have been hired it has consistently been going down hill. The superintendent is all about budget cutting when it comes to the foreign language program and the teaching staff, but finds money in the budget for new secretarial staff in his office. The principal consistently dismisses parent concerns and questions with a very snotty attitude. I believe this school used to be great, but now every year brings more disappointing changes.
Submitted by parent on June 18, 2014

This is a great district! The teachers and parents are so involved. The school and district are small and you pretty much know everyone. My kids think of their teacher as a friend.